Lentil (Masoor)

Land Preparation

Two ploughings and planking to a fine, firm seedbed. Lentil seed is small and needs good soil contact to germinate evenly.

Sowing Time & Method

Late October to mid November, 8–10 inch rows, 1–2 inches deep.

Seed Rate & Treatment

12–15 kg per acre. Treat with fungicide, then Rhizobium inoculant.

Fertilizer

One bag DAP at sowing. Nitrogen beyond a starter dose reduces pod set.

Irrigation

One irrigation at flowering if rain fails. Lentil cannot stand waterlogging.

Weed Control

Weed Damage Control Product
Bathu (Lambsquarters) Grows well above the short masoor crop and shades it from the start. Weeding at 30 days
Shahtra (Papra) Spreads a low mat between the plants and takes the moisture and nitrogen in the early weeks. Weeding at 30 days
Senji (Sweet Clover) Fills the rows and holds damp around the short crop, so rot starts at the base. Hoe between the rows
Wild Oat (Jangli Jai) Stands head and shoulders above masoor and takes light and nitrogen right up to pod filling. Sow clean seed; rogue out before the seed sheds
Dodder (Amar Bail) It lives on the crop's own sap, and the patch it takes gives no grain at all. Pull and burn the infested patch; sow clean seed

Weed once at 30 days. The crop is short and loses badly to weed competition.

Insect Pests

Aphid and pod borer from flowering onward. Scout weekly.

Diseases

Wilt and rust. Use a resistant variety and rotate; there is no good rescue spray.

Harvesting

Cut when the lower pods brown. Handle gently — dry pods shatter easily.

Expected Yield

8–12 maund per acre.

Pests & diseases of Lentil (Masoor)

Aphidsmedium Stem Borerhigh Yellow Rusthigh Brown Rustmedium Fusarium Wilthigh Phosphorus Deficiencymedium Micronutrient Deficiencymedium